Grad at Grad

The graduate of De Smet Jesuit has matured as a person - intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and socially - to a level that reflects some intentional responsibility for one's own growth. He is beginning to reach out in his development, seeking opportunities to stretch one's mind, imagination, feelings, and religious consciousness.

The graduate of De Smet Jesuit exhibits mastery of those academic requirements for advanced forms of education. While these requirements are broken down into departmental subject matter areas, the student will have developed many intellectual skills and understandings that cut across and go beyond academic requirements for college entrance. The student is also developing habits of intellectual inquiry, as well as a disposition toward life-long learning. The student is beginning to see the need for intellectual integrity in his or her personal quest for religious truth and in his or her response to issues of social justice.

The graduate of De Smet Jesuit will have a basic knowledge of the major doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church. Having been introduced to Ignatian spirituality, the graduate will also have examined his own religious feelings and beliefs with a view to choosing a fundamental orientation toward God and establishing a relationship with a religious tradition and/or community. What is said here, respectful of the conscience and religious background of the individual, also applies to the non-Catholic graduate of a Jesuit high school. The level of theological understanding of the Jesuit high school graduate will naturally be limited by the student’s level of religious and human development.

The graduate of De Smet Jesuit is continuing to form his own identity. He is moving beyond self-interest or self-centeredness in close relationships. The graduate is beginning to be able to risk some deeper levels of relationship in which one can disclose self and accept the mystery of another person and cherish that person. Nonetheless, the graduate’s attempt at loving, while clearly beyond childhood, may not yet reflect the confidence and freedom of an adult.

The graduate of De Smet Jesuit has acquired considerable knowledge of the many needs of local, national, and global communities and is preparing for the day when he will take a place in these communities as a competent, concerned and responsible member. The graduate has been inspired to develop the awareness and skills necessary to live in a global society as a person for and with others. Although this commitment to doing justice will come to fruition in mature adulthood, some predispositions will have begun to manifest themselves earlier.

The graduate of De Smet Jesuit is aware of his responsibility to be a leader in the Ignatian tradition of service and collaboration. He has had opportunities to exercise leadership in academic, co-curricular activities, and pastoral activities. As a result of opportunities to develop leadership skills during his high school years at De Smet Jesuit, the graduate:

1. understands that responsibility and a respect for diversity are essential elements of leadership.
2. sees leadership as an opportunity for service to others and the community.
3. realizes that leadership requires being a good role model.
4. realizes that leadership involves collaboration and cooperation.
5. understands that reflection and evaluation are important elements in good decision-making.